Why Reinstate SWO
Re-connecting Stratford upon Avon to Honeybourne improves connectivity. It places Stratford upon Avon at the heart of a rail network instead of it remaining the terminus it became in 1976. Direct services south-eastwards to and from Oxford, Reading and London Paddington and south westwards to and from Worcester, Cheltenham, South Wales and the South West would once again be available to use.
SWO would enable a new station to be built at Long Marston, an area destined for up to nearly 5,900 new homes. The locations for employment for many of those living in the new housing at Long Marston is likely to be either the West Midlands, South Midlands or Thames Valley. SWO enables direct services to all three, Oxford, Worcester and northwards to Stratford upon Avon and onto Birmingham. There are three primary reasons that underpin SWO -
SWO would enable a new station to be built at Long Marston, an area destined for up to nearly 5,900 new homes. The locations for employment for many of those living in the new housing at Long Marston is likely to be either the West Midlands, South Midlands or Thames Valley. SWO enables direct services to all three, Oxford, Worcester and northwards to Stratford upon Avon and onto Birmingham. There are three primary reasons that underpin SWO -
Increasing preference for rail
Rail Passenger Usage is increasing in the UK by nearly 5% a year. By 2013 rail passenger journeys were more than double what they were in 1997. There is growing evidence that more and more people are choosing to use rail over road. Communities with access to good rail services have seen greater and more sustainable levels of economic growth and where applicable tourism, which of course would apply to Stratford upon Avon.
Later this year the current service between Stratford upon Avon and London Marylebone will be severely reduced. Direct services between Stratford and London will be halved requiring passengers to change trains at Leamington Spa adding to journey times and dissuading many from using the service. Chiltern Railways, the Train Operating Company providing the service, are doing this to enable adequate paths to accommodate their new Oxford -Bicester-London service that starts at the same time as the service reductions at Stratford upon Avon. |
Mitigating the effects of Housing Growth
Significant growth in new housing with most of this growth being concentrated rather than dispersed over the Stratford district is now planned. Whilst this protects the amenity of most villages and existing settlements from over development it is crucial for those existing settlements nearby such a concentration of new housing that adequate and effective mitigation is put in place to reduce the potential negative effects upon existing infrastructure such as increased vehicular traffic volumes.
SWO provides a sustainable and effective means of mitigation to increased vehicular traffic by connecting main areas of employment with residential housing. In addition, it also provides much better connectivity for tourists wishing to visit the town. This has the potential to reduce visitor numbers by road that currently contributes to the daily traffic congestion across Stratford upon Avon. |
Connecting up to an expanding network
Greater connectivity for Stratford upon Avon and South Warwickshire both for local residents and visitors to the area would be achieved by SWO. A new station is due to open known as Worcestershire Parkway. Situated where the Cotswold Line crosses the Birmingham/Cheltenham main line this station will provide significant direct connectivity with the South West and Wales.
With a significant part of the Cotswold Line towards Oxford now doubled there is more capacity for services between Oxford, Reading and London Paddington, SWO would enable direct connectivity to this area, the Thames Valley and services to/from Heathrow Airport. |